Investigating the Interaction between Water Requirement and Nutrient-Availability on the Production of Mango Seedlings: A Study of Sustainable Cultivation Practices

Abstract

Mango (Mangifera indica), a major fruit crop in tropical regions, plays a crucial role in food security and economic development. However, climate change, with its attendant water scarcity, poses challenges for mango seedling production. This study evaluates the effects of different irrigation levels (100%, 75%, and 50% of evapotranspiration) and five levels of fertilizer NPK15-15-15 (0, 150, 300, 450, and 600 kgN/ha) on performance of mango seedlings. The experimental layout followed a randomized complete block design with three replicates, monitoring growth parameters over a 21-week period. Seedlings that received optimal irrigation (100% of ETc) combined with 300 kgN/ha fertilizer demonstrated the best overall growth performance in terms of plant height, number of leaves, and leaf area. Excessive fertilizer beyond 300 kgN/ha did not yield significant benefits, hence, moderate irrigation combined with balanced fertilization (300 kgN/ha) is essential for optimal seedling development in the investigated environment. These findings provide information for mango farmers in the investigated region, enabling them to optimize seedling production and contribute to healthy mango orchards. Finding the appropriate balance between water use, soil amendment and seedling growth is essential for sustainable agriculture and good water resource management. Although this research was conducted in Ibadan, Nigeria, its result would be applicable in other regions of the world with similar climatic conditions.